The new Youth Mayor of Neath Port Talbot (NPT) Council who “grew up wanting to be part of the Youth Council” has been officially inaugurated during a special ceremony at the Council’s Civic Centre.
May Al Jadouh from Sandfields in Port Talbot is stepping up from her previous role of Deputy Youth Mayor.
The 17-year-old is a student at St Joseph’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College. May is also the first person from an ethnic minority background to be chosen for the position.
New NPT Council Youth Mayor, May Al Jadouh said:
“My eldest brother was part of the Youth Council and I just grew up wanting to be part of it. My school has also really encouraged me.
“In my previous role as Deputy Mayor, the topics I worked on included bullying and racism. Now that our survey has gone out, we’ll see what other issues people in Neath Port Talbot want us to focus on.”
“I’m excited to work together with my team in the Youth Council on any issues the young people of Neath Port Talbot want us to work on. I believe we are the best team and I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
NPT Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years, Nia Jenkins said:
“Huge congratulations to May, being the newly elected Youth Mayor of Neath Port Talbot.
I know that she will continue to be a great and active ambassador for the young people of our Borough – sharing her passion and drive to represent her peers.
“I would also like to congratulate Zachariah on his election as Deputy Mayor. I sincerely much hope that both enjoy your respective times in Office and continue to promote the excellent work that the youth council does.”
May takes over from outgoing Youth Mayor, Jake Dorgan – a Neath College student who used his term of office to highlight environmental issues, to work for a more inclusive borough, and research into child poverty.
